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England 1-2 Spain AS IT HAPPENED: Three Lions suffer opening Nations League defeat

SPAIN began a new era under Luis Enrique in impressive fashion as they came from a goal down to beat England in tonight’s Nations League opener at Wembley. See how the action unfolded with Express Sport.

Gareth Southgate's men were brought down from their World Cup high by Spain, but England's Nations League defeat was overshadowed by a nasty-looking injury to Luke Shaw.

The Three Lions got the reception they deserved at Wembley as they returned to action for the first time since equalling their best-ever World Cup performance on foreign soil.

But Spain gave Southgate an illustration of the work still required as Saul Niguez and Rodrigo secured the visitors a 2-1 comeback win after Marcus Rashford had opened the scoring in their first-ever Nations League match.

This was England's first competitive home loss since Steve McClaren's men fell to Croatia in a crunch qualifier in November 2007, but the inauspicious start to Group A4 paled into insignificance when compared to Shaw's injury.

England pushed on in the closing stages but could not find an equaliser, with substitute Danny Welbeck seeing a goal ruled out deep in stoppage-time.

22:35: Thank you for joining me tonight, folks. The international break isn’t always an enjoyable two weeks, but tonight’s Nations League was surprisingly entertaining. Have a good evening!

‘TOUGH TEST’

22:30: England manager Gareth Southgate, speaking to Sky Sports: "They pressed us and we didn't keep the ball well enough. I have to give the players credit. We could have folded and disappeared. In the last 25 minutes we came into the game and could have got a draw.

"We are under no illusion that Spain were the better team for long periods. We are still at the early stages of what we want to do.

"They pressed well. It took us a while to work out where that was coming form and solutions to it. We are still finding out feet in playing out. We can go back to an old style but we will never be a top team. Or we stick with it and accept it won't always work.

"The system in Spain has produced some of the best midfielders in the world. We are a different profile of players who can't play like they do. But we can move the ball. When we are match fitter we will function better up the pitch. It takes time. We have come a long way.

"Today was a tough test in terms of pressing and a team who are so good in possession. We have to keep reviewing and looking at what we do. But we want to stick to the plan and get better at it."

22:15: England undoubtedly reconnected with the nation as they went all the way to the semi-finals in Russia.

But they were somewhat off the pace of Spain here, creating very little after the half-hour mark and looking unconvincing in defence.

Southgate kept faith with eight of the side that started the semi-final defeat to Croatia but will be slightly concerned with how they were outplayed by a Spain side supposedly in transition.

‘BOTTLED IT’

22:10: England captain Harry Kane on whether the goal should have stood: “100%, in the big moments you need the referee to stay strong but unfortunately he has bottled it. In the big moments you need a firm referee who doesn't get decisions wrong under pressure.

"Danny Welbeck stood there, De Gea went up, he caught the ball but as he went down he fell on Danny, no foul or anything, and the ball dropped. It was a good game, a good test against a team that keeps the ball well. It was difficult but we had good spells in the game and we probably created the better chances.

"We tried to press and play with high intensity. There's a lot of stuff we can learn from but I think we can hold our heads up high."

Mark: So frustrating that the Danny Welbeck goal was disallowed… Always seems to happen to England. Also, harmless fouls and the referee gave cards. For both sides. Terrible ref. Ref bottles it.

Kyle: Shocking decision from the referee. He gave England nothing all night and that's a terrible decision. Stones booked for a perfectly good challenge. No yellow card after Kane got clattered in the back. Spain deserved it but they were lucky at the end.

George: It just goes to show that had England won the group in Russia, they would’ve exited the group in the last 16, they only made the semis against mediocre teams.

21:45: Well, England have lost their first competitive game at Wembley since November 2007, ending a run of 24 games without defeat there in competitive action. But I would say that there are still reasons to be cheerful.

The young side were bright, quick and played some entertaining football - however Spain looked on a different level at times. I suspect the Luis Enrique era could be a profitable one for the visitors.

FT: Danny Welbeck nods a long throw-in from Joe Gomes, and the referee blows for full-time. There’s a sprinkling of boos, but they are reserved solely for the officials, who disallowed Danny Welbeck’s stoppage-time goal.

96: DRAMA! Danny Welbeck has the ball in the net, but will it count?! A Spain clearance loops up and David de Gea drops the ball when colliding with the Arsenal striker, who didn’t move a muscle during the incident and rolls the ball into an empty net.

It should be a goal in my opinion, but the referee has sided with the goalkeeper, as they so often do, and disallows the goal.

94: England throwing their toys out of the pram a bit and Spain are starting with the theatrics. It’s all just wasting precious time as Lingard clips Isco’s ankles.

92:Martinez wins a corner for Spain, who basically throw Sergio Ramos up by himself for a laugh. Somehow he wins the ball and volleys high and wide of the target. A few jeers from the England fans but he just smiles.

Danny Rose booked for a foul on Carvajal as Danny Welbeck replaces Marcus Rashford, who’s had a mixed evening - but at least he made things happen!

90: England fans trying to suck the ball into the net. Fantastic support tonight. There will be NINE minutes of added time because of that injury to Luke Shaw. Come on England!

88: Martinez replaces Alonso. Not a bad shift from the Chelea man.

87: Danny Rose nips ahead of the static Carvajal but Ramos clears for an England corner. We were the kings of set-pieces at the World Cup, remember.

The ball is floated in and old slab head Harry Maguire rises highest but guides it wide.

85: Offside! Trippier threads it through to Rashford, who is fractionally offside when seeing his shot saved by De Gea.

84:Carvajal booked for a foul on Rose. A certain gentleman in the office needs Spain to pick up another booking to win his bet. He’s unbearable.

Close! Oh my goodness, England should be level. Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane exchange passes and the Manchester United striker is through but hits it straight at David de Gea.

The ball looped up for Harry Kane, who volleyed the much tougher rebound wide. Rashford should have a brace.

79: Spanish fans are trying to get a Mexican Wave going, but England fans aren’t having it and decide to launch a few paper aeroplanes instead. Standard. Heavens knows why though because this is still in the balance with the Three Lions starting to up the tempo.

78: Marcus Rashford looks to make something happen but his snapshot is deflected and the ball trickles back to David De Gea.

63: Gareth Southgate makes his second change of the evening with Eric Dier replacing Jordan Henderson. Now I’m not the manager that led us to a World Cup semi-final, but perhaps both are needed to combat our missing midfield.

60: We’ve reached the hour-mark and it’s not looking too good for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions. Spain are swamping the midfield and there’s absolutely no link between the defence and Harry Kane.

59: England are struggling to find any kind of rhythm as Spain shift through the gears here at Wembley. Luis Enrique’s pressing game has forced Joe Gomez into a hurried clearance that falls to Thiago, but his effort is blocked by Stones.

56: I’ll keep you posted with anything we hear about the injury folks, but for now let’s get back to the action as Thiago pings a volley over the bar from distance. Spain wasting no time in getting back into stride.

55: There’s applause from both sets of supporters as Shaw is stretchered off with a neck brace after receiving oxygen. Danny Rose comes on to replace the Manchester United left-back.

53: Sky Sports aren’t showing a replay of the incident because of the severity. Their cameras are panning to Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino, who are watching their players at Wembley tonight.

51: It’s been about three minutes since the incident and Shaw is still being attended too. You really can’t rush when there’s a head injury concerned. I suspect we’ll be seeing upwards of 10 minutes of added time.

48: Ouch! You never like to see a player go down, and you REALLY don’t like to see Luke Shaw go down - with his history. Luke Shaw and Carvajal collide in the air and the Manchester United full-back’s head rebounds off the deck.

The medics are on the field while Shaw lay on the floor. The stretcher is coming on and I fear this could be very serious indeed.

45:And we’re back underway folks. Can’t say I enjoyed the ten million adverts on Sky Sports but I guess that’s life. Anyway, no changes for either side at the break.

Death, taxes and the prawn sandwich brigade not taking their seats for the start of the second half…

TWITTER ROUND-UP

CK: Frankly, England got lucky in World Cup. Which top team did they beat? No wonder that they are behind here.

Neil: Encouraging first half for England. Scored a lovely goal, yes got undone by fantastic first goal for Spain, and silly defending for second goal, but on the whole playing Spain was never gonna be easy. Calm down haters, its not as bad as you want it to be.

Mark: So much negativity. For me England going forward look pretty good, just need to tighten up in defence.

I think we need to get CK, Neil and Mark in a room to battle this out. Fireworks!

HT: What a rollercoaster that was. England take the lead through Marcus Rashford but two unanswered goals from Saul Niguez and Rodrigo sees Luis Enrique’s side lead at the break. Good game of football and the Three Lions are learning a lot more than they would against San Marino…

44: Spain trying to take the sting out of England with some possession. They are stroking it around the back as Marcus Rashford legs it like a maniac to try and force an error.

42: That was a bit clumsy, Luke. The Manchester United defender went in late on Carvajal. England winning the booking tally 2-0. Does that count for something?

39: Why didn’t we do this Nations League lark years ago?! So refreshing to have an international break that provides entertainment. There have been far too many meaningless friendlies over the years. Insufferable.

28: Close! Dele Alli drifts inside and finds a pocket of space. He drives forward but lacks composure and toe-pokes it straight to De Gea. Kane then delays a throughball to Rashford, who drifted offside.

England need to fill this CAM role. We could have scored a couple with some more guile.

26: Fair play to those inside Wembley tonight. There’s a proper atmosphere for this tonight with over 70,000 cheering. No chance you would have had this kind of noise before the World Cup. Southgate and that waistcoat have done miracles.

23: Oh, Harry! England’s captain takes an eternity to swing a right leg at Harry Maguire’s knock-down and two Spanish players clear the danger. The Spurs star claims he’s not suffering from fatigue, but it’s moments like that that suggest otherwise.

20: Sergio Ramos still being booed. I guess there must be quite a few Liverpool/Egypt supporters in Wembley tonight.

Booked. Jordan Henderson chops down the surging Marcos Alonso and collects a yellow card for his troubles.

17: Well it’s very much ‘as you were’ here at Wembley with England and Spain settling back into their rhythms. Gary Neville has been impressed with England’s response to Spain’s response (if that makes sense) because they are still trying to play patiently through the visitors.

14: Marcus Rashford's opener (assisted by Luke Shaw) was the first England goal scored and assisted by two Manchester United players since November 2012, when Ashley Young assisted Danny Welbeck against Sweden.

The Three Lions win possession in their own half and break like lightning through Manchester United’s Luke Shaw. He drives down the left and spots his colleague Marcus Rashford, who simply converts the inch-perfect low cross.

Liquid football from the hosts.

10:Joe Gomez can’t resist jumping in on Saul Niguez and concedes a free-kick on the left touchline. Jordan Pickford gathers, but only after the diminutive Iago Aspas was afforded a free-header inside the penalty area. Not too smart from the Three Lions.

19:34: And right on cue, Sergio Ramos’ name is booed mercilessly inside Wembley when his name is read out. I think the thing about pantomime villains is that they quite like being pantomime villains. He just smiles.

SEDUCTION…

19:30: Spain captain Sergio Ramos and his team mates want to seduce world football again after tumbling from the summit of the game.

Spain have had disappointing showings at their last three major tournaments since dominating the world game between 2008 and 2012 when they lifted back-to-back European Championship titles either side of their first World Cup triumph.

They endured a nightmare World cup campaign when they were knocked out by unfancied hosts Russia after Spain coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the tournament.

However, Ramos said there was renewed enthusiasm around the squad since Luis Enrique, who was a serial winner during his three seasons in charge of Barcelona, had take over.

"In the last few years Spain have dropped a couple of levels and our objective is to recover what made us win in the first place," Ramos said. "The coach and players have a great challenge in front of us in trying to win again. We have a lot of ambition but we have to show it. We want the world to fall in love with us again."

I suspect Ramos will have a tougher task making Liverpool supporters fall in love with him…

Rory: Will be great to see Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane up top together, would be fantastic to see them at Spurs together as well!

Sooner: It's not a vintage Spain team but let's be honest, a midfield with Busquets, Thiago Alcantara and Isco should run rings round England. Trying to control midfield against technically superior players was England's weak spot at the World Cup. We'll see though!

Peter: Lets remember we only beat Tunisia, Panama, Columbia & Sweden in Russia. We lost to Croatia and twice to Belgium. Tonight will give us a much more realistic idea of where England are at.

GOLDEN BOOTS

19:20: Harry Kane will wear a pair of golden boots and I can hardly contain my excitement…

It will be the England skipper's first international appearance since being awarded the Golden Boot for finishing as the top scorer at the summer's World Cup.

Tottenham striker Kane scored six goals during the tournament in Russia, helping England reach the semi-finals.

Kane tweeted a picture of the boots, provided by Nike, and wrote: "Buzzing to wear these tomorrow night. Gold boots."

19:10: Gareth Southgate was quick to seize on the apparent disconnect between the Three Lions and the public at large when he arrived in the job.

That problem manifested itself most obviously at the national stadium, where early qualifying games attracted indifferent crowds, occasional boos and an abundance of paper aeroplanes.

Events in Russia completed the job of reviving the relationship and Southgate's squad have earned a celebratory atmosphere on their return.

NEED A SCALP…

19:05: I’ve been watching a TV show called Mr Mercedes recently, and talk of scalps has me feeling uneasy. You should binge that series the second tonight’s game finishes.

Anyway, England’s progress in the past two years has been tangible and impressive.

Winning pressure knockout games and coming through a penalty shoot-out represent considerable improvements but Southgate is first to admit he has yet to knock a truly elite opponent off their perch.

Despite falling below expectations in Russia, Spain would easily fit that criteria, especially in a competitive environment. England gave away the lead late on last time Spain visited and going one better would be a feather in the cap.

Bradley: I’m absolutely buzzing that Luke Shaw is actually the best left back in the world again!

Gerard: This is either a 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 formation. Gomez, Maguire, Stones all Centre Backs and Trippier is RB/RM while Luke Shaw is LB/LM. Either way, we got a lot of talented defenders and a few good keepers! Just need more attackers to prove themselves.

Henry: Three years since Luke Shaw made his last start for England, so great to see him starting tonight. Showed real character to fight back from that horrendous tibia and fibia injury against PSV Eindhoven in 2015.

Lots of love for Luke Shaw tonight, who will presumably be delighted to not have Jose Mourinho screaming at him from the touchline…

18:45: And here comes the starting XI. A quick glance tells me that Gareth Southgate has brought Joe Gomez straight into the fold. He starts in a back three alongside Harry Maguire and John Stones. Manchester Unite duo Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford also start.

18:40: I’m aware that this story has very little to do with tonight’s clash, but I have to mention it otherwise my head will explode.

John Terry is poised to move to Spartak Moscow on a one-year contract…

Terry, 37, has already undergone a medical and Spartak hinted at an imminent announcement on their Twitter account.

TEST…

18:35: So, after years of tournament failures and steadily dwindling expectations, England's surprise run to the World Cup semi-finals has given us optimism.

Not a familiar feeling for England supporters, granted, but tonight should provide an early test of the depth of the feelgood factor emanating from Gareth Southgate's young squad.

Is Southgate's quiet revolution in full swing, or have Spain recovered from their chaotic World Cup?

EVENING…

18:30: Welcome to our LIVE coverage of England vs Spain from Wembley Stadium.

All the memories of the World Cup are flooding back, right?

I walked into the office this afternoon expecting to see England flags flying from windows, Three Lions blaring from car radios and empty beer cans strewn all over the floor.

No sign of the flags or music but there were plenty of cans…

OK, the hype of this summer’s World Cup has clearly gone, but Gareth Southgate has completed the job of reviving the relationship with the public and there should be a celebratory atmosphere tonight as we start our Nations League campaign.

"What the hell is 'Nations League?" I hear you ask. I'll do my best to explain it shortly.